Why Should You Keep Windows Updated?

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Why Should You Keep Windows Updated?

No operating system is created perfectly. They evolve with time, which means that everything from their security to the features they provide will expand as they are improved.

The problem is that many computer users are actually missing out on the additional security, new features and significant changes that Windows updates can bring. They lack both the critical updates and the optional ones, the latter of which is designed to increase the usability of Windows.

Let’s explore a more detailed explanation as to why you should keep your Windows operating system as up-to-date as possible.

Updates Bring Security

The biggest advantage of regularly updating Windows is the way it improves security. Small vulnerabilities in common applications and frameworks could lead to large problems.

Part of updating Windows requires you to update software like Adobe Flash and Sun Java. These frameworks are designed to allow portable applications to run in browsers and by themselves.

The problem with these frameworks is that they are often the target of malicious entities, i.e., the bad guys. For instance, Java has been in the news for having vulnerabilities that could give hackers access to entire devices and all the information they contain.

The only way to prevent this unauthorized access is to update Windows and its components on a regular basis. This prevents many of the defects in software from being used to gain unauthorized access to your computer.

Windows also has a Malicious Software Removal Tool that is part of Windows Update. This tool aims to remove spyware, viruses and other malicious software that may have infected your computer.

Fixing Bugs with Patches

Bugs are defects in software that can do everything from making your computer less secure to affecting the usability of an application. They can make your computing experience significantly less productive and fun than it should be.

Microsoft regularly releases updates designed to make software work better. This may improve how quickly software works, how it affects your overall system, how stable it is, and so on.

The point to take away is that updating Windows regularly will help keep bugs to a minimum. Considering that some of these bugs can result in the inevitable loss of important data, this is a vital part of keeping your computer in tip-top shape.

Adding New Features to Windows

Windows is an operating system designed to fulfill the needs of users at a given time. This is why new features a regularly included with new iterations of Windows operating systems.

What many people fail to realize, however, is that the release version of Windows is far from the final product. Microsoft is constantly developing new software and new features to make Windows even more robust and productive.

Microsoft Edge is an example of a feature that brought many changes to Windows. It was released as an update designed to replace Internet Explorer, which in turn meant that it was built without the security flaws and performance issues that Internet Explorer exhibited.

Edge also brought many new features, such as the search assistant application known as Cortana, to the Windows experience.

While Edge is now bundled with new releases of Windows 10, it was originally available to users by way of Windows Update. Similar features have been released purely through Windows Update.

This means that, if you want to have the best computing experience possible, you should regularly update Windows.

Making Windows Work Better

The last major benefit of keeping Windows updated is the fact that updates tend to make Windows perform better. They may help overcome memory leaks, compatibility problems and other problems that could hinder your computing experience.

Updates will also enable new hardware and software to be used by your computer. This can further improve your experience.

Keeping Windows Updated is Important

The most important thing any Windows user can do is to update their copy of Microsoft Windows. It provides new features, reliability, security and stability.

At Patient Computer Help, we understand that keeping Windows updated can be a difficult task. Some of the things you may have to do can be incredibly confusing, as there is no one-click update for every part of Windows.

We are capable of providing you with the help you need to make your computing experience, efficient, safe and headache-free.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help keep you with your computing needs.

10 Reasons Why You Absolutely Need to Back Up Your Data

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10 Reasons Why You Absolutely Need to Back Up Your Data

As a computer user you probably hear it all the time: “Back up your data.” Backing up data is the most popular mantra of the tech world and it is not without meaning. Although you’ve heard it again and again here are ten reasons you need to back up your data:

  1. Technology is Unpredictable – Computer crashes, viruses, faulty equipment and hardware failure are all part and parcel of dealing with computers. What’s worse is you never know when they’ll strike. Having a backup of your data ensures that you can get around modern technology’s failings without losing important information.
  2. …So is Human Error – People make mistakes. When it comes to computers a really small mistake can make for a big mess if your data doesn’t have a copy somewhere. One wrong mouse click and your data could be gone without a trace. With backed up data up your sleeve you can move around human error and get right back to where you were on your project.
  3. …Lastly, So is Mother Nature – Although we’ve come a long way since the invention of the wheel Mother Nature has an uncanny way of showing us who is really in charge. Having data backed up on the cloud protects your data in case of a power surge from a lightning strike or any other natural disaster.
  4. Don’t Do Twice as Much Work – Let’s say you’re working on a report. You’re happily typing along and you don’t save while you go. At some point you may accidentally delete the entire file and have to do all that work over again. Backing up lets you work smarter by saving you the hassle of having to start from scratch.
  5. Keep Important Documents and Files Safe – Medical documents should have multiple backups in any case of technological failure. There’s a lot of vital and personal information contained within. Not backing up such important data can spell the difference between life and death for some with lost documents taking that information into the digital black hole.
  6. Get Up and Running Quickly After Disaster – Whether it’s a massive network crash or weather damage having data backups available allows a business to get back on their feet quickly after any kind of disaster. Those that don’t back up risk not being able to open their doors for future business.
  7. Taxes, Taxes, Taxes – It’s generally a good idea to keep track of tax records for a few years after. The same holds true for tax files on the computer. Keeping one or two copies of your tax information backed up protects you if the IRS comes knocking. Instead of not having that very-much-needed document at tax time you can pull it up and settle any disputes that may arise.
  8. Hold Onto Your Happy Memories – If you have hundreds of pictures on your computer of family, vacations or other milestones consider backing them up once or twice. Should your computer fail for any reason you could risk losing your cherished photographs never to see them again.
  9. Computer Theft Can’t Stop You – If you should unfortunately experience computer theft having data backed up ensures that it’s available to you even when your hardware is not. You won’t know how much you miss the data you need until it is suddenly gone. While the police work on your case you can get back to your own work with your backup data.
  10. It’s Easy and Simple to Do – Saving multiple copies if important files is a breeze. With all the tools available to you there is no excuse not to back up your data. You can store data on the cloud, on a portable hard drive or on another network server so it will always be close at hand.

Consider backing up your data with the 3-2-1 rule:

  • 3- Make three copies of anything you care about
  • 2- Use two different formats, such as the cloud AND an external hard drive
  • 1- One off-site backup in case of fire or property damage

Learn more about how we can help you get your backups set up: email us or call 440-476-3351!

About the “We are from Microsoft” tech support scam

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tech support scam

At Patient Computer Help, we understand that many computer users find it difficult to trust a new computer repair company to provide them with the technical support assistance that they need. After all, computer users in the last decade have increasingly heard horror stories about repair scams and criminals posing as legitimate technicians.

One of the biggest scams is the “We are from Microsoft tech support” scam. Users have been told repeatedly in the media and advertising to trust “certified” Microsoft support. Thieves use this to their advantage by pretending to be certified Microsoft or Windows repair technicians in a variety of scenarios designed to engage users. Victims then lose a lot of time and money – potentially years and thousands of dollars – trying to repair their lives.

Who Are the Victims?

Although criminals try to snare any computer user, they know that certain users are more open to trickery than others and specifically target the following:

  • New Users
  • Senior Users
  • Streaming Media Users
  • Downloaded Media Users
  • Frightened Users

These five groups are the most vulnerable for difference reasons. Many new and elderly users have little experience with computers. They are also more trustful of those they believe to be “experts,” often need technical support and fail to recognize trickery. Users that stream and download media typically know how to use their computers, but frequently access questionable or illegal websites where criminals attack, such as pornography and pirate sites. Frightened users are in such a rush for a fix that they often fail to notice obvious red flags.

How Are Victims Contacted?

Thieves gain access to users and their computers primarily via:

  • Calls
  • Flyers
  • Emails
  • Searches
  • Pop-ups

During these contacts, thieves create a sense of urgency. For example, a caller claims that he needs to provide an emergency update because of a recent virus. In another scenario, a user receives a flyer in the mail or email from a supposedly trusted company about a low-cost system tune-up that frees up storage space and makes the computer faster. Users that already have system problems often stumble across scammers when they perform repair keyword searches online. Lastly, thieves create pop-up windows that force users to interact with them.

What Happens to Victims?

Victims provide personal details that later result in identity theft and related fraud or accidentally download software that modifies their systems. For example, a user receives a prompt to enter personal and credit card information on a website to receive tech support. Thieves use the data to steal more than the payment amount from the credit card account or set up new credit cards or other loans in the victim’s name. With a system modification, thieves use a virus to steal important data, such as online usernames and passwords and banking information. Some lock up a system and then force the victim to pay an access ransom. In this scenario, many victims never receive access and the thieves steal more than the ransom amount.

How to Tell Good From Bad

Microsoft doesn’t make unsolicited calls to users. Instead, the company performs automatic system patches over the Internet. During all other emergencies, a user’s Internet Service Provider and computer retailer receives Microsoft update details, informs the user and then connects the user with Microsoft, if necessary. Always keep the following in mind:

  • If someone contacts you claiming that they’re with Microsoft or repair Microsoft products, respond by contacting the appropriate authorities, such as the police, Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • Ignore all phone calls, flyers and emails except those that appear to be from your phone carrier and Internet Service Provider. Then, use the phone number on your customer bill to contact the company to see if the flyer or email is a scam.
  • To troubleshoot pop-ups, freezing, warnings or other technical problems, call a local or online certified Microsoft repair company that has experience you can verify through a trusted party and a good reputation.

For more information about this and other computer scams or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 440-476-3351.

How to Minimize The Threat From Computer Viruses

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How to Minimize The Threat From Computer Viruses

What is a Computer Virus?

People associate the word “viruses” with unpleasant diseases, such as colds and influenza. Of course, unlike people, computers don’t really become sick.

Yet unfortunately, in the online world, some individuals and organizations create hostile self-replicating code that acts like a virus to cause computer hardware or software programs to malfunction. Experts refer to some of these intentionally created malicious codes as “computer viruses”.

Computer Virus Damage

Computer viruses today cause a wide variety of problems. Different types of computer viruses typically produce different symptoms. For example, the damage cause by viruses varies widely sometimes:

  • Some viruses cause no damage at all, but the replicating code does not belong on your computer;
  • Certain viruses disrupt software programs, or cause them to malfunction.
  • Some virus makers create code designed to embarrass or hurt other people at random; a virus may send a lewd email to everyone in your email address book, for instance, or cause malfunctions that send all your emails to other people;
  • A virus may prevent you from using your computer to access online websites or from obtaining accurate information online;
  • Some computer viruses infecting your computer may spread at random whenever you use your computer online;
  • A virus may send inaccurate information to your computer;
  • Malicious viruses in some cases can infect a hard drive, wiping out important information and data and potentially causing millions of dollars in damage.

These types of mean, inconvenient and potentially expensive disruptions make computer viruses something to avoid whenever possible. These anti-social snippets of code produce a lot of human heartache.

The Virus Problem

In addition to viruses, a wide variety of closely-associated threats exist today. These problems include malware, scareware, worms, trojans and other threats outside the scope of this brief blog post.

Today, experts believe that literally millions of computer viruses exist. So many viruses threaten online users, that no single antivirus program will detect every virus reliably.

Important Anti-Virus Measures

To help protect your computer from viruses, experts recommend taking several common sense steps:

  1. Never use your computer without first installing a good anti-virus software program. Today, many computer vendors install these products with new computers to help protect customers.
  2. Make sure you keep your anti-virus software updated and current.
  3. Retain a company such as Patient Computer Help to help repair damage to your computer caused by contracting a virus.
  4. Don’t open emails sent to you from unfamiliar sources.
  5. Periodically, scan your computer offline for “rootkits” and other damaging programs (ask us).
  6. Keep your operating system and browser well maintained and up-to-date.
  7. Always scan for viruses before installing software programs on your computer, and never download programs sent to you from unknown sources.
  8. Don’t visit online sites if your anti-virus program alerts you to the presence of malware or some other security threat.
  9. Back up data so you’ll have copies available if a virus strikes.

Adhering to these steps won’t necessarily protect your computer system from every virus, but you’ll significantly minimize threats from viruses. Businesses in particular often encounter security hazards online, since some cyber criminals target merchants. By relying upon skilled assistance from Patient Computer Help, you’ll obtain the peace of mind that comes with having expert anti-virus and repair assistance available whenever you require expert computer repair services.

Think You’ve Been Infected?

Contact Patient Computer Help for assistance in keeping your computer in good working condition. We offer help to customers seeking to minimize threats from computer viruses.

With so many dangerous viruses and associated hazards circulating in cyberspace today, you’ll appreciate the ability to obtain our rapid, responsible professional computer repair expertise. Let us help you safeguard your computer assets.

To schedule an antivirus support session, email us or call 440-476-3351!

Horizontal Pictures Please!

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Have you noticed how many television cell phone pics and videos have all that blurry, unusable part of the picture on the sides? If more people would think to hold their phones horizontally we’d be getting much clearer pictures with much more information imparted.

There actually is an app for that, to make your pictures be horizontal no matter what…but then you have to remember to use it. Hold your iPhone or Android horizontally and you’ll (1) have better pics and videos and (2) have a better shot at getting your video on the news.